Waze's Game-Changing New Feature: Is It Time to Ditch Google Maps for Good?

If you are a daily user of the Waze application, you will certainly love this new addition. Even if you still rely on Google Maps, this update might be the final push you need to fully shift your loyalty to this navigation app. Waze is soon launching a crucial feature for urban navigation—a long-awaited capability that was delayed for unclear reasons. In fact, this feature was one of the few areas where Google Maps surpassed Waze, a feature Google itself implemented back in 2022.

• ✨ Testing a new feature to display traffic signals in cities, simulating what is available in Google Maps.
• ✨ The update aims to enhance routing accuracy and control stops while driving in urban areas.
• ✨ The feature is expected to be deployed globally by leveraging the shared Google database.
• ✨ Waze is also working on integrating an accurate display of pedestrian crossings to improve traffic safety.

Unveiling Waze's New Traffic Light Feature

What exactly is this feature? Well, the Waze application is currently testing the functionality of displaying traffic signals within cities. In Google Maps, this feature is popular and widely available across most parts of the world, allowing for better control over stops on urban roads. However, its appeal to direct competitors wasn't very strong until now.

Three years after its launch in Google Maps, Waze is now adding the display of traffic signal status on roads. The difference from Google's method is not significant; the application can place the traffic light icon where it is physically located, helping the user understand how it affects their route or why traffic might be stopped on the street.

Waze began introducing these traffic signals in Israel, and it is highly likely they will be widely rolled out globally soon. This expectation is supported by the fact that Waze is owned by Google, suggesting the potential use of the same underlying database as Google Maps for this feature.

Therefore, the feature is expected not only to accurately pinpoint traffic light locations in most countries but also to be nearly error-free after rigorous testing on one of the most popular navigation apps. Naturally, integrating this feature closes the gap between Waze and Google Maps, removing one reason for hesitant users to stay with the Google application.

Additional Updates: Focusing on Pedestrian Safety

Traffic signals are not the only update Waze is aiming to emulate from Google Maps. In fact, the next update might be even more interesting, as the application is working to display pedestrian crossings with greater accuracy and clarity on the screen.

Why is this important? In Google Maps, knowing the locations of pedestrian crossings is extremely useful when driving in an unfamiliar city, as it alerts you to the possibility of pedestrians suddenly appearing, enhancing navigation safety thanks to this simple addition.

However, this latter feature is still on the list of planned improvements for Waze, and there are no specific release dates yet. But the good news, as with the traffic signals, is that this GPS service can efficiently utilize the platform already used by Google Maps.

What is the main feature Waze is currently testing?

The main feature Waze is currently testing is the display of traffic lights on the map while driving within cities, a feature previously only available in Google Maps.

When did Google Maps add the traffic light feature?

Google added the traffic light display feature to Google Maps in 2022, and it is now available in most countries worldwide.

Will the Waze traffic light feature be rolled out immediately?

Waze began testing this feature in Israel, and it is expected to be widely rolled out globally soon, given that the application follows Google.

What is the other feature Waze is working to integrate to improve safety?

Waze is also working to integrate the feature of displaying accurate and clear pedestrian crossings on the screen to increase awareness and safety when driving in new areas.

Will the pedestrian crossing feature be available at the same time as the traffic lights?

There are no specific release dates for the pedestrian crossing feature yet; it is considered among the list of features Waze plans to add in the future.

🔎 In conclusion, this development shows Waze's increasing reliance on the infrastructure and data developed by Google. This reduces the functional differences between the two applications and offers real added value to users who prefer Waze's community interaction while benefiting from Google's data accuracy. These updates ensure Waze remains a strong competitor in the navigation app market, especially as it continues to add features previously considered exclusive to its rivals.